Letter: Delegation stood united for Taunton State Hospital

Patients, personnel and professionals at Taunton State Hospital extend their sincerest gratitude to local politicians for their intensive effort to protect the fragile mental health care system. Taking into account the status of mid-term elections looming upon us this coming November, we would like to note the bipartisan effort that has become the hallmark and style of our legislative leaders in southeastern Massachusetts.

Patients, personnel and professionals at Taunton State Hospital extend their sincerest gratitude to local politicians for their intensive effort to protect the fragile mental health care system. Taking into account the status of mid-term elections looming upon us this coming November, we would like to note the bipartisan effort that has become the hallmark and style of our legislative leaders in southeastern Massachusetts.

Certainly, state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton; state Rep. Patricia Haddad, D-Somerset; and state Rep. Shaunna O’Connell, R-Taunton, have demonstrated the ability to cross the political aisle and work with a number of elected leaders from all parties to advance the care and treatment of the mentally ill.

Pacheco is on record for suggesting that the expansive grounds at Taunton need to be evaluated to “determine how they can best be used.” He has done a yeoman’s job of steering Taunton State Hospital through troubled waters.

O’Connell is on record for stating she supports “expansion of services” at TSH. She sponsored Amendment 658 in 2013 that allowed for reopening of the forensic unit, continuing care beds, crisis stabilization beds and an 18 bed pilot program for patients currently held at Massachusetts Correctional Institute for non-violent offenders. TSH is hoping that this initiative will be revisited in the coming fiscal cycle.

Haddad has vigorously lobbied House Speaker Robert DeLeo and her fellow representatives in the House to override the 2012 veto of Gov. Deval Patrick. Haddad’s effort kept provisions for 45 in-patient continuing care beds and protected the independent status of study formed as the Mental Health Advisory Committee.

The Mental Health Advisory Committee is currently evaluating psychiatric patient needs and availability of services to this population. Haddad continues to blaze a trail for care and treatment of the mentally ill. Clearly, local leadership has unified to protect a common cause. Without their tireless efforts, the mentally ill would have taken a backseat to other worthy and, at times, not so worthy causes.

Let us all hope that our leadership continues to work together to protect care and treatment to this worthy population. All associated with Taunton State Hospital agree that the bipartisan work of our Legislature reflects the esprit de corp that has made the community at Taunton State Hospital and the city of Taunton such a unique and special place.